Automatic multiple color printing plate and inking means



April 1949 w. H. HANCOCK 2,467,128

. AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATE AND INKING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 13, 1945 Ill/II IN V EN TOR.

April 12, 1949. w. H. HANCOCK 2,467,123

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATE AND INKING MEANS IN V EN TOR. 95

P" 1949- w. H. HANCOCK 2,467,123

, AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATE AND INKING MEANS Filed NOV. 15, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVENTDR.

April 12, 1949. w. H. HANCOCK 2,467,128

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATE AND INKING MEANS Filed NOV. 15, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 12, 1949 AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATE AND INKING MEANS William H. Hancock, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 13, 1945, Serial No. 628,223

14 Claims. 1

My invention relates to improvements in automatic multiple color printing plate and inking means, and more particularly to an automatically operated flat plate type, designed to provide a composite multiple color printing plate, operata ble upon a bed and platen press.

The several objects of this invention are: First, to provide a practical and simple composite printing plate, which in coaction with an associated operating means, a lurality of type compositions or cuts are provided with means to be inked in several colors, thereby; providing a flat bed printing press with means to print a plurality of colors,

simultaneously from one impression of the plate.

Second, to provide a suitable mechanism to mount and operate a plurality of groups of standard ink rollers, in coaction with the movement of the parts of the composite printing plate, therefore; providing means to ink the plurality of printing elements comprising the type face of the printing plate; with a plurality of colors.

Third, to provide a coordinated printing mechanism which assures perfect registry of a plurality of colors in unlimited printing operation, and further; provides an improved printing plate assuring considerable economy in operating cost.

Fourth, to provide an improved mounting means, to mount a plurality of type compositions or cuts. Said means comprised of a plurality of parallel metal strips, or strips, of other suitable material of a suitable varying thickness and width, contrivin'g and providing a simple means to mount and operate said printing elements, of various composition and varying width, in a multiple color printing plate, with said mounting 2 strips provided with apertures'and contact lugs at opposed ends, or at suitable intervals, providing means for selective operation of said mounting strips and affixed printing elements.

The foregoing and other objects of my invention will be clarified in th following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a press adapted to mount and operate the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section from line 2-2 on Figure 1, showing the printing plate in relation to the inking rollers and operating means.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section from line 3-3 on Figure 2, showing an arrangement ofthe printing plate and operating bars in relation to an acceptable operating means, comprised of cylinder motors.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary'section taken from line 44 on Figure 2, showing a view of an ink roller carrier in conjunction with an acceptable operating means.

Figure 5 is a side view of the press adapted to mount and operate the present invention, showing an alternate means to operate the ink rollers and their carrier mechanism, illustrating rocker arms and the complementary motive means for said rocker arms.

Figure 6 taken from line 6-6 on Figure 5, as both sides of the press are typical, only one side is shown.

Figure 7 is a section taken from line 'l-l on Figure 5, clarifying the position of operating cams and gears.

Figure 8 is a view comprised of the view shown in Figure 3, changed to show an alternate method comprised of cams and shaft; providing another acceptable method to operate the printing plate operating bars.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view taken from line 99 on Figure 8, showing a top View of the opcrating bars and cam shaft.

part shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12, showing the detail of another part shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13, the third part in detail from the Figure 10 assembly.

Figure 14, the fourth and last part as shown in Figure 10 assembly;

Figure is a fragmentary view showing both ends and other sections of the part 4 I0 illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view taken from line I6! 6 on Figure 10, showing the arrangement of the supporting strips and afiixed type.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary side view, taken as seen from the end of one group of the ink roller assemblies and is intended to clarify certain functions of the inking operation.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view taken from line |8l 8 on Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary view taken from line l9l9 on Figure 18, this figure in conjunction with Figures 1'7 and 18 clarify the mechanism designed to correct the position of the offset ink rollers, and cause them to be forced over to pass along the inking plane.

Figure 20 is a partial phantom perspective, intended to further clarify the ink roller carriers and changeover mechanism.

ments afiixed upon my composite printing plate invention is accomplished by operating a plurality of ordinary inking rollers 22, up and down in proximity to the printing surface of the plate in the usual manner. To more satisfactorily adapt said rollers to proper coaction with the said printing elements upon a common inking plane 58, I have invented certain control means as hereinafter described. To provide rests for the supporting friction rollers 2|, the tracks 23 and 24 are provided; said tracks are parallel in the vicinity of the printing plate, but are parted V-shaped above and below the printing plate. Providing clearance for the roller assemblies while at rest. To provide support and flexibilit of movement to the inking rollers, the cast brackets I provide mounting means for a mechanism designed to be slidable horizontally, to control and support such movement of the said inking rollers 22. To provide vertical slidable movement and support for said brackets l, sleeve bearings 3| are provided with apertures 38 which are intersected by the vertical rods 35, thereby; providing guides and vertical slidable mounting for said brackets 1. Rods 35 are securely affixed at top and bottom, to the frame I by means of the attach brackets 49 and 92. Brackets l are further provided With protrusions 32 and 43, providing means to attach said support brackets 1 to a suitable motive means.

To assure even pressure and flexible movement of the two grouped inking rollers 22, mounting -means are provided by the swivel part It] which are provided with bearings I9; to support the inking roller 22 shafts 2|]. Extending outward from the swiveling part I 8, is a lug shaft I7, supported by bearings l6 provided in the sliding heads Which moves and are supported in the bearing surface l2, provided in the slidable bracket I. Said sliding head I! is a part of the control rod 8, which are contained by bearings l3 and I5 in bracket 1. To exert pressure upon the control rod 8, the compression sprin 9 is slipped upon the rod 8 and housed within the opening I l in part I. Said spring 9 is confined by the lip of the bearing l3 and the sleeve 35 which is pin 31 afiixed upon the control rod 8. Therefore, it is apparent the pressure of the spring 9 is flexibly transmitted to the rollers 22, supporting friction rollers 2 by means of the described mechanism. Said pressure is absorbed upon the tracks 23 and 24. The bearing surfaces within brackets 71, provide horizontal support and sliding movement to the inking rollers and roller carriers.

It is apparent, that if the inking roller assemblies supported by tracks 2% should follow the normal course of said tracks, the desired contact of said ink rollers and printing plate surface would not occur. To correct this discrepancy, I have provided the lift tracks 28; which are affixed in a proper position upon the frame l outside and parallel to the tracks 24. Upon the roller carrier assemblies using track 24, are provided the special friction rollers 27, secured upon the lug shaft 26 by means of the washer 29 and cotter pin 39. Lug shaft 26 extends inward from the sliding head 25, which is contained in assembly by the bearing surface l2. Sliding head 25 is pierced by an aperture allowing passage of the rod 8. A coiled compression spring I8 is placed upon the rod 8 between the sliding heads 25 and II. The movement, or transfer of the friction rollers 2| from tracks 24 to the desired position upon tracks23, is accomplished byengagement .of-the friction rollers 21 upon the lift tracks 28.

Tracks 28, provided with curved ends, are mounted so that contact of rollers 21 upon the curved ends of track 28 cause outward pressure upon rollers 21. It is apparent that assembled described, outward pressure upon th rollers 21 cause a lift and pressure upon the sliding head 25. Said lift and pressure is transmitted flexibly through the spring I0 to the sliding head While said pressure is exerted, the passage of the friction rollers 2| is disrupted from the track 24 and the assembly is forced forward, until the said friction rollers 2| are engaged by the tracks 23. Correcting the position of the inking rollers 22, causing them to pass along the common inking plane 58. Predetermined tension must be provided for springs 9 and II], to allow the described transfer of position.

Summary Those skilled in the art, will appreciate the economy of applying a plurality of colors simultaneously, as printed by my composite printing plate. It is obvious from the specification, that perfectly registered multiple color printing can be produced very rapidly and economically, with my composite printing plate and inking means. Although the forgoing specification describes the present invention as a four color plate, it is readily seen that with modifications, my device is adaptable to two, three or more than four colors with the same expediency.

Further economy can be realized by quick removal of one composite plate and the substitu-- tion of another, without the slow setup necessary in the present multiple color printing methods.

The nature of my composite support structure allows very close mingling of the several colors, provided by means of very thin supporting strips, which allows very small cuts to be mounted in close relation to larger cuts; in the printing composition. Of course, many modifications of structural detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention, therefore; I do not wish to be limited to the precise structure described, but consider my invention to include all modifications falling within the scope of the invention. I am aware that prior to my invention, multiple color printing plates have been made with several means provided for multiple color printing, therefore; I do not claim such a combination broadly; but having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple color printing plate comprising a movable type base, comprised of a plurality of parallel movable strips providing means to mount a plurality of printing elements, with said parallel movable mounting strips, horizontally opposed to a vertically operated inking means, and with said parallel strips provided with clearance slots and clearance apertures,.with said apertures provided with inwardly extending contact lugs and with ported printing elements outward, selectively to a common inking plane.

In a ult ple color p i tin p at omprisin a plurality ,of printing elements aifixed to a composite movable base, comprised of parallel movable strips of varying thickness, providing means to mount printing elements of varying sizes and with means provided to move said supported elements outward to a common inking plane.

4. In a multiple color printing plate, comprising a plurality of printing elements afiixed to a composite movable base, comprised of parallel movable strips of varying thickness, and with printing elements of large size affixed to a plurality of supporting parallel strips, suitably placed in relation to the assembly, with means provided to move said supported elements outward to a common inking plane.

5. A multiple color printing plate substantially as claimed in claim 4, wherein all the supporting strips are provided with clearance slots to facilitate selective movement of said printing elements, outward to a common inking plane.

6. A multiple colorprinting plate comprising a plurality of printing elements, affixed to a plurality of parallel strips, provided with varying thickness to support variable sized printing elements and with printing elements not adapted to support from one strip, being provided with a plurality of Supporting strips spaced as required in the assembly and with all strips provided with clearance slots to facilitate selective movement and with all strips provided with a sufiicient uniform width to provide cantilever strength and with said assembled strips pierced by apertures and with said apertures comprising a common aperture through th assembly, at opposed ends or at intervals as required, providing means to insert a plurality of parallel operating bars within said apertures and with means provided, to contact said operating bars with selective groups of said parallel supporting strips.

'7. In a multiple printing plate, the combination described in claim 6, wherein said strips are provided with apertures for the insertion of operating bars and wherein said operating bars are provided with selective contact means with the said supporting strips, said selective means i comprising lugs in staggered order extending inward from the said supporting strips into the said apertures and with the apertures provided with clearance space whereby certain operating bars contact selected lugs and bypass other lugs, thereby; providing selective operation of the said strips and ,afiixed printing elements and providing movement of said printing elements outward in sequence, to a common inking plane to provide coaction with inking rollers applying selected colors thereto.

8. In a multiple color printing plate, a composite base comprising a plurality of parallel movable strips, provided with a plurality of affixed printing elements and with .said supporting strips provided with clearance slots and clearance apertures, with said apertures provided with contact lugs, providing means of contact with operating means and with the said parallel supporting strips provided with matched rear edges comprising a uniform rest means, the combination of a supporting rest means comprising brackets and a support bracket, provided with a suitable ground and matched surface to provide alinement of said parallel support strips and affixed printing elements while at rest in printing n i p 9. In a multiple color printing plate, compris ing a'plurality of printing elements affizred'to a composite movable base, comprised of a plurality of parallel supporting strips and with means pro vided to move said supported printing elements outward, selectively, to a common inking plane the combination of inking means comprising a plurality of inking roller groups provided with carrier and corrector means to provide coaction with said selective printing elements on a common inking plane.

10. In an inking device comprising a plurality of inking rollers mounted above and below a multiple color printing plate, with means provided to move said inking rollers over a common inking plane in coaction with selective movement of printing elements in said printing plate and with said inking rollers provided with mounting means comprising a swivel mount with a central connector and with said connector provided with slidable support comprising sliding heads and guide rods, a support, vertically mounted and slidable vertically, provided with support means comprising horizontal slide bearings, providing mounts for said sliding heads and guide rods, thereby; providing horizontal motion means for said affixed inking rollers and with retainer compression springs comprising means to retain said assembly upon support tracks.

11. In an inking device, the combination described in claim 10, a vertically disposed bracket provided with means to move vertically, with said bracket providing horizontal slide means to sup,- port inking roller carrier means.

12. In an inking device, comprising a plurality of inking rollers intended to operate in sequence, comprising friction rollers and supporting tracks, a control means comprising a swiveling support with bearings and center swiveling means, a support comprising a vertically supported slidable bracket provided with horizontal bearing surfaces, comprising an elongated slide means providing support, a sliding head and a guide rod, with guide means within said horizontal disposed bearing surfaces, retainers, comprising a compression spring disposed about said guide rod and retained thereon by means of sleeve and pin retention.

13. In an inking device, comprising a plurality of inking rollers grouped above and below a printing plate, a plurality of parallel tracks providing a support for said inking rollers, an offset track providing means to cause said inking rollers to coact upon a common inking plane, ,S id means comprising said offset track, coacting with a friction roller mounted upon a sliding head, slidable in a common carrier in conjunction with a sliding head and a guide rod, a compression spring confined between said sliding heads, providing means to transmit pressure upon a flexible mounting means of said inking rollers, said coaction of tracks, rollers, and sliding heads, p 10- viding correcting means to said inking rollers.

14. In an inking device, the combination described in claim 13, comprising inking rollers supported upon parallel tracks, corrector means, comprising lift tracks afiixed in juxtaposition to said parallel tracks, said lift tracks provided with REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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